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Essence vs Canidae

Essence vs. Canidae

In this comparison article for Essence vs Canidae, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Essence and Canidae, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.

Throughout this Canidae vs Essence comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Essence Review Page or Canidae Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Canidae vs. Essence

According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.

All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.

Essence Dog Food vs. Canidae Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodEssenceCanidae
Crude Protein40.9%29.2%
Crude Fat19.3%15.2%
Crude Fiber5.7%5.3%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodEssenceCanidae
Crude Protein46.2%39.6%
Crude Fat32.6%23.7%
Crude Fiber6.0%7.1%

Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food

Dogs require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Twelve of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining ten are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these ten essential amino acids.

The comparison table above shows that Essence dry dog foods provide significantly more protein than Canidae. More specifically, Essence guarantees at least 11.70% more protein. For wet dog foods, Essence provides more protein (about 6.65% more).


Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Fats are an absolutely vital component of a balanced canine diet. Not only do fats provide energy, but they also serve important roles in the normal development and function of your dog's body. For example, fats help dogs produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among many other significant functions.

There is a relatively large difference between the fat content of Essence and Canidae. On average, Canidae dry dog food recipes contain 4.10% less fat than Essence recipes. In addition, Essence wet dog foods also provide more fat than Canidae wet foods.


There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fiber content of the two brands. With regards to wet dog food, Canidae and Essence also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Essence Cat Food vs. Canidae Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodEssenceCanidae
Crude Protein44.1%36.1%
Crude Fat18.5%16.5%
Crude Fiber4.8%4.4%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodEssenceCanidae
Crude Protein46.2%48.8%
Crude Fat31.8%19.8%
Crude Fiber4.8%7.6%

Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food

Cats require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Eleven of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining eleven are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these eleven essential amino acids.

Essence dry cat foods clearly provides more protein than Canidae. In fact, the difference between the protein content is roughly 8.02%, which is a significant amount. For wet cat foods, Canidae typically provides a little more protein (about 2.64% more).


Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food

There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):

  • Fats help with the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
  • Reduce inflammation associated with arthritis
  • Slow the growth of yeast infections
  • Prevent or reduce the likelihood of certain heart problems.
  • Aid in the development of the retina and visual cortex.

There is a small difference between the fat content of Essence and Canidae. We can see that Essence guarantees about 2.01% more fat than Canidae. In addition, Essence wet cat foods also provide more fat than Canidae wet foods.


Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. For wet cat foods, Canidae typically provides a little more fiber (about 2.72% more).

Essence Pet Food Ingredients vs. Canidae Pet Food Ingredients

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Canidae.

Canola Oil
Iron Oxide
White Rice
Pea Protein
Caramel Color
Garlic Powder
Powdered Cellulose

We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Canidae.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Product Safety: Recall History of Essence & Canidae?

According to our records, Essence has never been recalled.

Canidae has been recalled once.

  • May 5, 2012: Salmonella

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodEssenceCanidae
Per Pound$4.11$2.94
Per Calorie$0.0024$0.0018
Dry Cat FoodEssenceCanidae
Per Pound$4.64$3.19
Per Calorie$0.0027$0.0020
Wet Dog FoodEssenceCanidae
Per Pound$4.99$5.69
Per Calorie$0.0090$0.0117
Wet Cat FoodEssenceCanidae
Per Pound$5.98$8.29
Per Calorie$0.0103$0.0250

The average cost-per-lb is heavily influenced by the varying amounts of moisture present in each brand's food products (wet vs. dry food, dry vs. freeze-dried food, etc). However, the average cost-per-kcal eliminates the influence of moisture. Therefore, the average cost-per-kcal is the better metric to consider.

If you'd like to calculate the average cost-per-day or cost-pet-year of feeding Essence or Canidae, input your pet's weight into our cost analyzer widget.

Averages price data can identify whether or not there exists a significant price difference between two brands. However, the actual price that you'll pay for Essence or Canidae will depend on your shopping habits.

Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Essence and Canidae. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.


Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!

Where To Buy Essence Pet Foods

You can purchase Essence pet foods from the following stores:


12 Recipes In-Stock Today

13 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy Canidae Pet Foods

You can purchase Canidae pet food products from these retailers:


55 Recipes In-Stock Today

43 Recipes In-Stock Today

38 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductEssenceCanidae
Dry Dog Food6 Recipes42 Recipes
Wet Dog Food6 Recipes15 Recipes
Dog TreatsNone12 Treats
Dry Cat Food3 Recipes13 Recipes
Wet Cat Food3 Recipes23 Recipes
Cat TreatsNoneNone

Top Rated Essence Recipes

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Original Ranch & Meadow Recipe For Dogs
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Original Air & Gamefowl Recipe For Cats
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Original Ranch & Meadow Recipe For Cats (Canned)
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Top Rated Canidae Recipes

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All Life Stages Multi-Protein Formula With Chicken, Turkey & Lamb Meals
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All Life Stages Less Active Formula (Canidae Platinum) With Chicken, Lamb & Fish
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PURE Goodness Premium Recipe With Real Salmon
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Adore Morsels With Salmon & Whitefish In Broth
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